Department of Early Education and Care

51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
Main Line: (617)988-6600
Fax: (617)988-2451

Commissioner Sherri Killins, Ed.D

I am pleased to announce we have completed the reorganization of our agency. If you have a specific question, please email the Commissioner's Office at commissioners.office@massmail.state.ma.us

If you would like to receive email updates on EECs progress, please complete the email form.

The new units and staff assignments are as follows:

The Office of the Commissioner

  • The Office of the General Counsel
  • Human Resources and Facilities Management
  • Information Technology
  • Policy Research and Evaluation
  • Information and Outreach

Key Contacts:

  • Board Relations, Legislative Affairs, and Media Inquiries: Kathleen Hart, Commissioner's Administrative Director, 617-988-7819
  • Commissioner's correspondence and scheduling: Sheila Richardson, Executive Assistant, 617-988-7824
  • Birth to School Age Task Force: Nicole Yacovone Lessard, Policy Analyst, 617-988-7822
  • EEC Advisory Council: John Swanson,  Policy Analyst, 617-988-7803
  • Media/Press Inquiries: Carmel Sullivan, Acting General Counsel, 617-988-6631
  • Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) and UPK/Quality Initiatives: John Swanson, Policy Analyst, 617-988-7803

Policy, Research & Evaluation Unit

The new Policy, Research and Evaluation unit works with me and the Board of Early Education and Care to provide research and planning support to ensure that the Department can make evidence-based policy and program decisions.

The technical aspects of grants were separated out and placed into a new unit under the Office of Administration and Finance.

Key Contacts:

The Office of Administration & Finance

  • Budget
  • Grants, Contracts and Procurement
  • Accounting
  • Fiscal Monitoring

Grants Unit

The Grants Unit is responsible for coordinating state and federal grants by providing technical assistance to the policy unit, reviewing materials prior to posting the Requests for Proposals (RFP), posting for the public the RFP, establishing the review of applications, and notification of awards, tracking and monitoring financial aspects of grants.

Key Contacts:

The Office of Regional Operations, Support and Engagement

The Office of Regional Operations, Support and Engagement encompasses the following critical functions:

  • Licensing, Monitoring and Investigations
  • Educator and Provider Support
  • Family/Community Engagement and Program Monitoring.

Key Contacts:

  • David McGrath, Deputy Commissioner for Field Operations, 617-988-6602
  • Region 1, Springfield: Erin Craft - Regional Director, 413-788-8401 X103
  • Region 2, Worcester: Donna Cohen-Avery - Regional Director, 508-798-5180 X219
  • Region 3, Lawrence: Anita Moeller - Regional Director, 978-681-9684 X309
  • Region 5, Taunton: Mike Avery - Regional Director, 508-828-5025 X554
  • Region 6, Metro Boston: Alina Lopez - Regional Director, 617-472-2881 X605

Educator and Provider Support

Educator and Provider Support manages the Department of Early Education and Care Professional Development which includes but is not limited to the Professional Development Registry; develops the technical assistance and training to support new and existing licensing regulations and requirements; training for early educators on the inclusion of students with disabilities and other early education programs to share and gather input on a variety of topics. Via grants, provides financial support and technical assistance (CFCEs) to support program accreditation (NAEYC, NAFCC, COA).

Key Contacts:

Family and Community Engagement and Program Monitoring

Family/Community Engagement and Program Monitoring will include but is not limited to the dissemination of information about programs, grants and other EEC sponsored opportunities for families (e.g., translated resources and materials) and providers (e.g., professional development resources). The Family and Community Engagement Strategy will also include a strong regional field and family feedback and input component as the Department develops and implements policies, promulgates regulations and promotes best practices in licensing, monitoring and more.

Key Contacts:

  • Western MA, Springfield: Florence Semb, 413-788-8401
  • Central MA, Worcester: Donna Marshall, 508-798-5180 X206
  • Northeastern MA, Lawrence: Cheryl Marks, 978-681-9684 X326
  • Southeast/Cape and Islands: Vacant
  • Metro Boston: Vacant

Regional Consultation Programs

EEC recently established a partnership with the Department of Public Health, Regional Consultative Program for special education transition and inclusion of 3-5 year olds in pre-school settings. The Regional Consultation Coordinators are:

Boston Region

Thom Boston Regional Consultation Program
Thom Boston Metro Early Intervention
555 Amory Street
Jamaica Plain, MA

Stacey Keane, Coordinator
phone: (617) 383-6207
fax:(617) 383-6520
 

Northeast Region

Regional Consultation Program
Professional Center for Child Development
32 Osgood Street
Andover, MA 01810

Rachel Daniels (DPH/EI issues)
phone:(978) 475-3806 ext. 242
fax:(978) 475-6288
 

Christy Murray (EEC/Preschool issues)
phone:(978) 475-3806 ext. 243
fax:(978) 475-6288
 

Central Region

Regional Consultation Program
Criterion Child Enrichment
345 Fortune Blvd.
Milford, MA 01757

Julie Gomes, Coordinator
phone: (508) 478-7752 ext. 370
fax: (508) 473-0994
 

Western Region

Thom Western Regional Consultation Program
Thom Springfield Infant Toddler Services
1506A Allen Street
Bicentennial Plaza
Springfield, MA 01118

Karen Cassidy, Coordinator
phone: (413) 783-5500 ext. 16
fax:(413) 782-7612
 

Metro West Region

Regional Consultation Program
South Shore Mental Health
500 Victory Road
Quincy, MA 02171

Kathleen Haran-Kovacs, Coordinator
phone:(617) 774-1048
fax:(617) 328-0461
 

Southeast/Cape and Islands Region

Regional Consultation Program
Schwartz Center for Children
One Posa Place
Dartmouth, MA 02747

Lauren Meatty, Director phone:(508) 996-3391 ext 246
fax:(508) 996-3397
 

Department of Early Education and Care Offices and Key Contacts

Region 1 - Western Regional Office

95 Liberty Street, Suite 1124, Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: 413-788-8401; Fax: 413-784-1227

  • Erin Craft - Regional Director, 413-788-8401 X103
  • Florence Semb - Family Community Quality Specialist, 413-781-8401 X126
  • Eric Lieberman - Educator/Provider Support Specialist, 413-788-8401 X112

Region 2 - Central Regional Office

10 Austin Street, Worcester, MA 01609
Phone: 508-798-5180; Fax: 508-798-5181

Region 3 - Northeast Regional Office

360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, 3rd floor Lawrence, MA 01843
Phone: 978-681-9684; Fax: 978-689-7618

Region 5 - Southeast/Cape and Island Regional Office

1 Washington Street, Suite 20, Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-828-5025; Fax: 508-828-5235

  • Mike Avery - Regional Director, 508-828-5025 X554
  • Gail Perry - Educator/Provider Support Specialist, 508-828-5025 X55

Region 6 - Metro/Boston Regional Office

1250 Hancock Street, Suite 120-S, Quincy, MA 02169
Phone: 617-472-2881; Fax: 617-472-2722

Central Office

51 Sleeper Street, 4 th floor, Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 617-988-6600; Fax: 617-988-2451

Legislative Contact:

  • Kathleen Hart, Commissioner's Administrative Director 617-988-7819

EEC Advisory Council Contact:

  • John Swanson, Director of Interagency Partnerships: 617-988-7803

Commissioner's correspondence and scheduling:

EEC Board Contact:

  • Kathleen Hart, Commissioner's Administrative Director 617-988-7819

Legal Affairs:

Media/Press:

  • Kathleen Hart, Commissioner's Administrative Director 617-988-7819

Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) and Special Education:

Technical Assistance on Grant Survey/Reports:

Federal Reporting/Interagency Data Exchanges:

Comprehensive Service for Family Community Engagement:

Head Start Supplemental:

Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) and UPK/Quality Initiatives:

General Counsel:

Financial Appeals:

Background Checks:

Field Operations:

  • David McGrath, Deputy Commissioner for Field Operations, 617-988-6602

Educator and Provider Support:

  • Phil Baimas: Director of Educator Provider Support, 617-988-7823
  • Pam Roux, Educator/Provider Support Specialist, 617-988-7820
  • Katie DeVita, Educator/Provider Support Specialist, 617-988-7827
  • Chris Pond, Educator/Provider Support Specialist, 617-988-6625

Teacher Qualifications:

  • Marian Caesar, Professional Qualifications Coordinator, 617-988-7807
  • Rosanna Lococo, Professional Qualifications Coordinator, 617-988-7806
  • Natou Sissoko, Professional Qualifications Coordinator, 617-988-7808

Administration and Finance

Budget:

Contracts and Procurement:

Accounting:

Grants, including Preschool Special Education, Family Support & Building Career:

  • Jessica Fix, Program Funding Specialist, 617-988-7834
  • Michele Smith, Program Funding Specialist, 617-988-7835
  • Gloria Hickey, Grants Management Specialist, Special Education 617-988-2441
  • Cathy Depradine, Grant Management Specialist, Family Support Grants, 617-988-2432

Information provided by the Department of Early Education and Care. Updated: January 13, 2010